Today: The countdown is on.

[tweetmeme source=”elizabethev” only_single=false]The New Balance Reach the Beach is just two days away.  I am freaking out, man!  In the best possible way.  The emails and group texts (a system I was altogether unfamiliar with until Theodora clued me in) have been flying back and forth all week.  Who’s bringing the headlamps?  Do we have enough Twitter Machine chargers?  And most importantly: Is the banana costume ready for 12 girls and 200 miles?

I came home from work Monday to find a very fun package from the good people at New Balance waiting in my mail room.  Is there an award for best dressed team?  If so, Team Off Balance is a (motion control) shoe in.

Isn’t the logo they designed for our team perfect? I thought the flip-flops were such a cute touch; I can’t wait to break them out at the finish line.  Though I haven’t had a chance to pack yet, I did make time for one of my usual (and neurotic) packing lists.

The makeup is for beauty consultations and complimentary makeovers for my van mates during our down time.  Obvi.  Kristen at New Balance sent us some great tips last night, so I’ll be adding a few more items to the list:

• Newspaper to dry out our shoes
• Hat and gloves (for the night leg, and napping)
• CDs… you know I love a good mix tape

Our fearless team captain (I think I might start calling her CapTina) shuffled around our legs a bit this week, and now that they’re settled, we are all ready to run.  I am runner #10, and my legs are smoking hot as follows:

• Leg 10: 3.63 miles (moderate)
• Leg 22: 2.75 miles (easy)
• Leg 34: 6.47 miles (easy)

Also On Tap for Today:

• Go bananas!
• Moving 3 pallets worth of boxes (girl power)
• Hair appointment 🙂

Have you run a relay before?  What’s your best advice for first-timers?